Laurie O'Reilly

Laurie O’Reilly was the first coach of the New Zealand women's national rugby union team. On July 22, 1989, the first official New Zealand women's national rugby team played the California Grizzlies, a touring side from the United States at Lancaster Park in Christchurch.[1]

Career

O’Reilly was a family lawyer in Christchurch, and he served as New Zealand's Commissioner for Children from 1994 to 1997. He was also a Law lecturer at the University of Canterbury, where he also coached the Men's team.[2]

Rugby career

In 1988, O’Reilly coached the Crusadettes, the University of Canterbury Women's team, they toured the United States and Europe.[3] A year later he selected the first women's team to represent New Zealand.[2]

O’Reilly had a hand in organising RugbyFest 1990 in Christchurch. It was a two-week women's rugby festival that featured national teams from the Netherlands, the United States and USSR. He coached the Black Ferns to the inaugural 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup in Wales.[2]

The Laurie O'Reilly Cup is named in his honour, New Zealand and Australia have competed for it annually since 1994.[1]

Death

O’Reilly died from cancer in 1998.[2]

References
  1. "31 years since first official New Zealand women's team took to the field". allblacks.com. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
  2. "How Laurie O'Reilly's 'larger than life' passion for rugby helped women's game soar". women.rugby. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
  3. "1988 Crusadettes to lace up for Golden Oldies tournament". Stuff. 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
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